Soft Power and Charismatic Leadership in German-American Relations

“The idea of soft power developed by the great Joe Nye has for years been looking for a book that could tease out its various meanings. Hendrik Ohnesorge has done precisely that in this brilliant, in-depth study of the U.S.-German relationship in its various phases since the end of the Cold War. A model study of which I think Nye himself would be justly proud.” (Michael Cox, London School of Economics and Political Science)

“A brilliant and essential analysis of the crucial role soft power plays in shaping foreign policy and diplomacy.” (James D. Bindenagel, former U.S. Ambassador and Henry Kissinger Professor Emeritus at the University of Bonn)

“The late Joseph Nye described his concept of soft power as a dance that requires a partner. In this dazzling new book Hendrik W. Ohnesorge documents a prime example of that dance: the pas de deux of the United States of America and German public opinion. But more than this, Ohnesorge’s work is a reinvigoration of soft power theory: uniting it with older ideas of leadership through Weber’s notion of charisma. Ohnesorge also charts U.S. attempts to actually enhance the power of attraction through public diplomacy. This book transcends its bilateral core to serve as an overview of the troubled trajectory of U.S. foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. It deserves to be a classic both of U.S. foreign policy and global studies generally.” (Nicholas J. Cull, author of Reputational Security: Refocusing Public Diplomacy for a Dangerous World)

“Hendrik W. Ohnesorge’s book sheds a long over-due light on the crucial nexus of soft power and charismatic leadership in German-American relations. Its systematic and historic approach is consequent and convincing since it combines the deep roots of soft power in international affairs with concrete examples embodied in the strongly different presidencies of Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump. The special value of this study is the decisive message that in a world of great power competition the concept of soft power deserves a future—especially in the transatlantic partnership.” (Sigmar Gabriel, Former Federal Minister and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany)

“This book, penned by one of the leading scholars on the subject of power in international relations, offers a rich analysis of a timely subject. Transatlantic relations are now at a crucial crossroads in the post-war era. Ohnesorge marshals penetrating insights with historical context into this important issue in the context of American presidential leadership. It is a must-read for those interested in modern foreign relations among leading powers.” (Giulio M. Gallarotti, Columbia University and Wesleyan University)

“No-one, on either side of the Atlantic, has done more to develop and apply the legacy of Joe Nye’s soft power formula than Hendrik Ohnesorge.” (David W. Ellwood, Senior Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins University, SAIS Europe, Bologna, Italy)

“The book offers a fascinating exploration of soft power and charismatic leadership in German-American relations. Expertly weaving together centuries of transatlantic interaction, it provides insights into the political, social, and cultural dynamics that have influenced this pivotal relationship. At a time of geopolitical upheaval, this study is essential for understanding the forces of attraction and cooperation in world politics, making it a vital resource for scholars and practitioners alike.” (Wolfgang Ischinger, President of the Foundation Council, Munich Security Conference Foundation)

“Scientific books are rarely a pleasure to read. This one is. It is thoroughly researched and broadly based, analyzing soft power in German-American relations. And much more besides. Especially now, when American soft power is at a crossroads, this book is all the more important. It opens up the perspective that Trump's disregard for soft power does not mean its end.” (Thomas Jäger, University of Cologne)

“Germany and the United States share a long history which I believe make up a unique relationship defined by admiration as well as allergies, interdependences and asymmetries, friendships and frictions, and by different narratives of history, legacies, and memories. Hendrik Ohnesorge has provided a masterful portrait of the mixture of all those dimensions as they have helped influence German perceptions of America shaped by several U.S. Presidents for better or at times for worse. The book offers an insightful guide through this evolution of contemporary German-American relations and what the future may hold.” (Jackson Janes, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States, President Emeritus, American-German Institute, Washington D.C.)

“Hendrik Ohnesorge has written a seminal study that masterly traces German-American relations, notably in the 20th and 21st century, and by applying Joseph Nye’s concept of soft power provides new insights into the nature of the relationship and the working of the American and German political systems. This study provides an indispensable base for future scholarly work on these questions.” (Karl Kaiser, Harvard Kennedy School)

“This book provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the evolution of German-American relations from the perspective of political leadership and public diplomacy. An indispensable study for anyone interested in the significance of individual agency in international affairs, public diplomacy, and transatlantic relations.” (Christiane Lemke, Professor of Political Science Emerita at Leibniz University Hannover and Visiting Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

“Soft power is a well-known, valuable concept of international relations that can suffer from over-use and lack of precision. In this majestic work of impressive scope, Hendrik Ohnesorge manages to provide not simply a theoretical masterclass on soft power’s meaning and importance, but also a unique empirical analysis of its significance in a key bilateral relationship. A landmark work for the field.” (Giles Scott-Smith, Leiden University)

“A timely and thought-provoking look at centuries of U.S.-German relations through the prism of public diplomacy, cultural engagement, and charismatic leadership. A must-read to understand transatlantic relations at a critical moment in world affairs.” (Tara D. Sonenshine, Senior Fellow at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University)

“This timely and provocative assessment of the role of soft power in German-American relations in the post-cold war era provides a fresh look at the evolution of a powerful and consequential bilateral relationship.  At a moment when the U.S. appears to be engaged in a seemingly unprecedented retreat from the use of soft power as an instrument of foreign policy, this meticulously researched book reminds us that we have been here before, making it essential reading for current practitioners, scholars, and students of public diplomacy.” (Vivian S. Walker, Practitioner in Residence and Professor at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University)